Published on, Aug. 27 -- August 27, 2025 5:35 PM

LAHORE: The memory of the devastating 1988 flood on the Ravi River continues to haunt Lahore as fresh warnings ofwere issued this week.

In 1988, the Ravi swelled to a peak discharge of nearly 570,000 cusecs at Shahdara, far beyond safe levels. The force of the river led to embankment breaches and submerged large swathes of low-lying areas, including Shahdara, Bhamma, Jhuggian and Saddar. At least 467,000 cusecs crossed under the Shahdara bridge, displacing thousands of families. Eyewitnesses recall chaos and forced evacuations, with many left to survive for weeks in makeshift shelters.

Though the Shahdara Bridge was designed to withstand up to 250,000 cusecs, experts say flows above 50,0...